Traders from Nyansiongo market in Boarbu have defied calls by the county government to vacate their road side selling points to combat accidents along the busy Kisii-Sotik highway.
Last week, a section of county delegation led by area MCA Mr Jackson Mogusu had recommended eviction orders to improve the safety of the residents.
However, the order has since been opposed by the traders through their chair lady Mrs Beatrice Kiane who on Tuesday blamed the county government for the stalemate they are facing.
“We have no issue with moving away from the highway but the critical question remains where we will go after that? The county government should be sincere and look for a common location that we will temporarily operate from as they seek a permanent solution,” she said.
She said the county had delayed in completing construction of Menyenya market whose construction has stalled since its foundation was laid by the county governor John Nyagarama.
“The governor promised to expedite construction of Menyenya market but nothing is going on, one year down the line. We held a meeting and decided that we will continue operating from the roadside because this is our only source of livelihood,” she added.
When contacted to respond to dissatisfaction of the traders, Mogusu said the traders should be using the old market that has remained deserted since its construction was launched.
“We have a big idle land near the main market and for the sake of their lives; they should relocate from the road side. A number of them have been involved in accidents and I think we lost two lives earlier this year. It’s for their own good,” he said.